Call off the search, we've found THE best hot cross buns for Easter 2026
We tried 48 traditional, flavoured and gluten-free hot cross buns to find this year’s worthy winners
Tested by Callum Black, JoJo Anastasiou and Georgia Turnell
We’ve officially found the best hot cross buns for Easter 2026.
Fluffy, spiced and packed with juicy fruit, we’ve rounded up the 24 best traditional, flavoured and gluten-free teatime treats to stock up on ahead of the long weekend (Easter Sunday falls on 5 April this year, just FYI).
Looking for more delicious Easter treats? Check out our guides to the best Easter eggs (we tasted 102 so we should know!) and the best Easter roasts for that showstopping, crowd-pleasing centrepiece.
Best hot cross buns for 2026
In a hurry? These are the Good Housekeeping Institute's top-rated buns at a glance but read on for our panel's full (and tasty) reviews.
What does a traditional hot cross bun contain?
If you're a stickler for the rules, a traditional hot cross bun typically contains an array of dried fruit – currants, raisins and sultanas – as well as candied mixed peel, often from lemon and orange. The sweet dough is also flavoured with warming spices – cinnamon, allspice and cardamom are all popular.
How we test hot cross buns
Our panel tested 48 traditional, flavoured and gluten-free buns from the leading supermarkets and independent retailers to find their favourite Easter bakes for toasting and slathering with butter. Each was scored on its spiced aroma, flavour, presentation (neat piping, please!) and well-leavened rise.
These are the ones we’ll be tucking into.
Best traditional hot cross bun
Costa Classic Hot Cross Bun
Costa Classic Hot Cross Bun
Score: 84/100
When a hot cross bun craving strikes, make a beeline for Costa. Our experts crowned this individual bake the tastiest classic HXB for 2026, thanks to its generous helping of juicy dried fruit, candied lemon peel and cinnamon-spiked sweet dough. The perfect partner to your latte.
Waitrose Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Waitrose Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Score: 82/100
If you’re a fan of a classic hot cross bun, you’ll appreciate this year’s entry from Waitrose. You can expect a light, fluffy texture, soft cinnamon and sticky glaze, with our experts calling out the “huge” currants as a highlight. Best served generously slathered with salted butter.
Iceland Luxury Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Iceland Luxury Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Score: 82/100
Iceland’s hot cross buns are packed with warming spice and an abundance of dark vine fruit. Testers loved the rich, almost wine-like aroma from the raisins and currants, balanced by zingy lemon peel and a satisfyingly bready texture.
Co-op Giant Hot Cross Bun 400g
Co-op Giant Hot Cross Bun 400g
Score: 81/100
Feeling hungry? Co-op's new giant hot cross bun should hit the spot. We sliced and toasted it like a regular loaf, which means you have the added benefit of being able to crisp up both sides for better butter absorption.
This unlocked a delicious, honeyed aroma, with notes of sweet cinnamon, ginger and clove – think hot cross bun meets French toast.
Score: 81/100
For a richly spiced hot cross bun, look no further. Sweet cinnamon takes the lead here, alongside plenty of chewy raisins and lemon peel dotted throughout.
Aldi Specially Selected Luxury Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Aldi Specially Selected Luxury Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Score: 80/100
Our testers described Aldi’s great-value bakes as “deliciously sweet”, with an aroma that some compared to sticky toffee pudding. Orange peel and vine fruit are evenly dispersed through the light, airy dough, keeping every bite nicely balanced.
Daylesford Organic Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Daylesford Organic Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Score: 78/100
Daylesford makes these hot cross buns by hand on its organic farm in the Cotswolds.
They're generously packed with sweet, flavoursome vine fruit, and candied citrus peel – and our experts described the level of spice as "perfect". They felt this was a great, all-round classic hot cross bun, worthy of the price tag.
Co-op Irresistible Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Score: 77/100
Testers appreciated the pleasantly sweet aroma here, with warming cinnamon spice, balanced with bright citrus and rich, jammy vine fruity, all wrapped up in a fluffy, well-risen bun.
Score: 76/100
Our panel enjoyed the sweet, sticky glaze on Marks and Spencer’s luxury bakes, describing the bread as light, fluffy and creamy, with sweet fruit and plenty of cinnamon.
Authentic Bread Co. Large All-Butter Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Score: 75/100
We’re always drawn to a sweet treat with a short, recognisable ingredients list, and this one from organic bakery Authentic Bread Co fits the bill perfectly. It’s a properly bready hot cross bun with a more savoury profile, lifted by chunky fruit that brings a subtle honeyed note. Generously sized, it soaks up butter beautifully.
Score: 75/100
While the fruit in Lidl’s bakes is plump and juicy, our testers found it a little unevenly dispersed. However, the dough is lightly spiced with cinnamon – which could make them a good option for children.
by Amazon Hot Cross Buns 6pk
by Amazon Hot Cross Buns 6pk
Score: 73/100
Feeding a crowd? Stock up with this six pack of hot cross buns from Amazon. Chewy and lightly spiced, these buns are a neutral base for your choice of toppings. We’d serve them toasted, slathered in flavoured butter, with a cup of hot tea on the side.
These also passed...
- Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Fruity Hot Cross Buns, £2 for 4pk, Score: 73/100
- Bettys Large Hot Cross Bun, £8.25 for 1, Score: 70/100
- ASDA Exceptional Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns, £1.77 for 4pk, Score: 70/100
Best flavoured hot cross buns
Lidl Deluxe Triple Chocolate Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Lidl Deluxe Triple Chocolate Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Score: 85/100
Despite the affordable price tag, Lidl has packed these buttery buns with plenty of creamy milk chocolate, to ensure each bite is bursting with gooey pockets of the good stuff. We think they’d be a great option for kids who are less keen on the spice in a traditional HXB.
Aldi Village Bakery Mighty Cheesy Hot Cross Bun 4pk
Aldi Village Bakery Mighty Cheesy Hot Cross Bun 4pk
Score: 80/100
Love it or hate it, Aldi’s flavoured bun is a bold twist on a classic, with the addition of a certain yeast extract. Our panel praised the soft, fluffy texture, and agreed it’s best enjoyed with plenty of salted butter and a slice of extra mature cheddar on top.
Sainsbury’s Carrot Cake Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Sainsbury’s Carrot Cake Hot Cross Buns 4pk
Score: 79/100
Why choose between a slice of carrot cake and a hot buttered bun when you can have both? Our testers thought this was a match made in heaven, describing it as “delicious” with a “homemade, fresh flavour”. Try it with a swipe of sweet, cream cheese on top.
Bettys Chocolate Orange Hot Cross Buns 520g
Bettys Chocolate Orange Hot Cross Buns 520g
Score: 79/100
Bettys’ flavoured hot cross bun is pure Easter indulgence, channelling Terry’s Chocolate Orange with melted milk chocolate and bright citrus. Large, soft and fluffy, it toasts beautifully, balancing creamy sweetness with gentle acidity – ideal for a special breakfast, finished with crème fraîche.
Costa Bacon, Mature Cheddar & Chilli Jam Hot Cross Bun
Costa Bacon, Mature Cheddar & Chilli Jam Hot Cross Bun
Score: 78/100
Cheer up your commute with this savoury bun from Costa. It taps into this year’s “swicy” trend with a sweet and spicy combination of salty bacon, sweet chilli jam and mature cheddar, making it oh-so-perfect for breakfast.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.
Joanna Anastasiou is our Food and Drinks Tester, and has completed certifications in Sensory Foundation and WSET Wine Level 2 training. Prior to this she studied geography with conservation biology at the University of Exeter and trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Through this she has developed a passion for sustainability within the food and agricultural sectors. Joanna also volunteers in kitchens with FoodCycle, as well as on multiple wildlife conservation projects, where she formed a particular love for bees!
Georgia has been part of the hospitality industry for the last nine years. Her starting point was the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary school where she gained a Diplôme de Pâtisserie. She has worked at a number of well-known restaurants and bakeries including The Club at the Ivy and Ottolenghi, Notting Hill where she was the head pastry chef. Most recently, Georgia worked at The Clink Bakery inside HMP Brixton, which aims to reduce reoffending through teaching. She is an expert in all things baked goods and holds a WSET level 2 in wine.
